In it, physical and software components are deeply intertwined, each operating on different spatial and temporal scales.

Both exhibit multiple and distinct behavioural modalities, and interact with each other in a myriad of ways that change with context.

Autonomous unmanned vehicles (UAVs) and aircraft navigation systems and smart grids (where electricity is optimally distributed on the basis of calculations in real time by micro-processors) also qualify as CPS.

Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) programme

The thrust of the CPS initiative is to break silos in academia and encourage greater synergy between the university scientists and industry.

Under it, centres of excellence would be developed at the IITs and universities. Moreover, there will be dedicated courses on the subject.

Need for CPS programme

CPS is an important technological evolutionary area that needed to be addressed as it has potential to pose unprecedented challenges and also stresses to India’s demographic dividend.

It can be turned into a huge opportunity by ensuring that India’s future workforce is skilled in robotics, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, big data analysis, quantum communication and IoTs.

The National Science Foundation of the United States already has identified CPS as a key area of inter-disciplinary research back in 2003. It means that India is late entrant in this technology which has huge potential.